SLUK Loves #8: Knox Joseph under layer and Sports Jacket | REVIEW

It might seem like an expensive long-sleeved vest when you look at the price of this Knox under layer (£54.99) but don’t always take things at face value. This is one of the lightest, warmest layers you’ll ever own. Forget sticking half a dozen t-shirts and jumpers under your autumn/winter riding gear, layer up properly and you’ll be able to ride in comfort without feeling trussed up.

Video

Have a look at the Knox video below to learn about the materials and performance of Knox Dry Inside base layers…

Who are Knox?

Knox are a British company, they’re based in the Lake District (an area that knows all about extreme weather and the great outdoors). Their products are designed and manufactured in the UK by grown ups, rather than some far off sweat shop staffed by children and I’m yet to try anything from Knox that doesn’t look good and work as it should.

Knox Joseph and Winter top combo

It’s all about the base

I’ve been using this item for the past year, it’s a Knox Dry Inside Joseph long-sleeved base layer. It survived some cold rides last winter and has also been useful during those colder spring (and autumn) rides. As an added bonus, because of the anti-bacterial fabric and its wicking properties it’s also great for use on hotter rides because it keeps you ‘Dry Inside’ and doesn’t smell. The beauty of a layer like this one is that it’s very light. You can screw it up and stuff it into a pocket/rucksack or glovebox, or stick it under a bungee so it can go with you even if you don’t expect to need some extra warmth.

Merino Perform

Whilst we’re talking of warmth, it’s made from Merino wool (explained in greater detail in the video above), famous for being the lightest, softest wool and for wicking moisture, which helps to keep the skin dry, insulated and temperature regulated. The Joseph is made from Merino Perform, woven in Australia with cool synthetic fibres added to it to produce a technical wool. It has excellent thermal properties that also stop it clinging to the wearer in hot weather. Each individual fibre also has a ‘silky’ outer layer, which means it’s super soft to wear.

Add in an Oxford heated vest and Tucano Gulliver jacket and you can face winter

How to keep warm by layering up

If I’m doing a long ride, no matter what the weather, I’ll have at least one or two Knox layers on, or have them with me. On warmer days the base layer is there to either wear as a t-shirt (a short-sleeved version is also available) or it can be used as an ‘emergency’ extra layer if it drops cold, or to sleep in when camping.

In colder weather I use it as it should be used, to layer up. I’ll wear it as an under layer, then use a Cold Killers Winter Jacket (£79.99) or Sports Top (£59.99) as a mid layer, followed by my riding jacket. In the photo above it’s the Tucano Gulliver jacket we reviewed here. If it’s mid winter I’ll usually go for the heavier duty RST Adventure, reviewed here. I also have an Oxford Inox heated veston beneath my Cold Killer (still my number one item of winter riding kit).

Sizing

Knox sizing is good, if you usually wear a large, buy a large.

Verdict

The Joesph long-sleeved layer fits well, looks good enough to strip down to if need be and works a treat. If you need some extra warmth, without extra bulk Merino Perform is the way to go.

Available from

Knox are available from all good bike (and some) scooter shops, MSC stock Knox. Or you can find a local dealer, or buy direct from the Knox website.